Budapest & Surroundings

The capital of Hungary and its metropolitan area is home to numerous World Heritage Sites but has plenty to offer for everyone interested in art and history, culture, fine dining or wildlife and nature. Just in an hour from the vibrant city, you can visit medieval hilltop abbeys and castles, explore Baroque palaces and arboretums, go wine-tasting in rustic cellars, hike in the mountains or meet bears and other animals.

Budapest

Budapest is defined by the Danube, cutting the city in half, while the 7 bridges provide crossings over the river. The hilly Buda is home to the Castle District and many of the famous landmarks of the old town, while the flat Pest is the bustling heart of the city. It's really easy to get around in the city as the public transport is cheap and convenient.

You'll find here historical sites, art nouveau architecture, prestigious universities, world-class galleries and museums, theatres and cultural festivals, prime shopping streets, thermal baths, vibrant night life, cozy ruin bars and the country's oldest zoo. If you want to escape the noise of the city, visit the Margaret Island and the City Park, or explore the hills of Buda. The main attractions include the Parliament, the Buda Castle, the Fisherman's Bastion, the Matthias Church, the Gellert Hill, the Szechényi and Gellért Baths, St. Stephen's Basilica, Dohány Street Synagogue, the Heroes' Square - and events like the Sziget Festival, Christmas Fair or the St. Stephen's Day's Celebrations.

Try the local delicacies all year round at the Central Market Hall, the quality restaurants or at one of the many wine, street food festivals or other culinary events.

TOP DESTINATIONS

Szentendre

This lovely little village is known for its colorful Baroque houses, historical atmosphere and museums like the Open-Air Museum, Marzipan Museum, the Margit Kovács Ceramic Collection and the Ferenczy Museum.

Esztergom

Hungary's most sacred city was the country capital over a 1000 years ago. It's known for the Castle Hill area, where the Royal Palace ruins and Hungary's largest Basilica stands, also for the cellars beneath it and the 400-year-old mosque.

Visegrád

This small but historical town lays in the Danube Bend with romantic Renaissance palace ruins, a 13th-century citadel towering above the town, a pálinka museum, bobsled and nice hiking treks with waterfalls and amazing lookouts.

Gödöllő

Located in the Gödöllő Hills, the town is home to the Grassalkovich Castle - the largest Baroque castle of the country and second-largest in the world. The Arboretum, the University and the Elisabeth Park are also worth visiting.

Vác

Also located in the Danube Bend, this charming town has a historic centre with 18th-century bridges and Baroque churches, huge Cathedral and luxurious merchant's homes.

Lupa Lake

"Budapest’s beach" is an artificial freshwater lake with deep and clear water, white sand, comfy loungers, cold cocktails, hot parties and various fun watersports.

Pilis Mountains

Oak and beech forests peppered with caves and beautiful chalk cliffs. Top sights are Prédikálószék, Dobogókő, the Ram Ravine, the Iron Gate Rocks

Börzsöny

This mountain range offers beautiful hiking trails, many mountain peaks and lookouts, caves and a forest railway, even castles in the northeastern side.

Etyek

Take a wine tasting tour in this wine-producing region and visit the small, family-owned wineries.

Zsámbék

The small town is known from the ruins of a Premontre monastery church and the Lamp Museum.

Budakeszi

The town is a popular recreational area with its forests, vineyards, Wildlife Park and Arboretum.

Vácrátót

This little village gives home the country's largest arboretum, the National Botanic Garden.

Mogyoród

The small town is known for its Aquarena Water Theme Park and the Hungaroring motorsport race track, where the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix is held.

Martonvásár

The town is famous for the Neo-Gothic Brunszvik Castle, its beautiful English park and the Beethoven Memorial Museum with the composer's own piano.

Cegléd

The "Gate of the Great Plain" is known for the Calvinist Great Church, Evangelical Church, Drum Museum, Kossuth Museum and Aquapark and Thermal Spa.

Dömös

This small village lays in the scenic Danube Bend and known for a Premontre monastery church ruins and the nearby hikes and lookouts in the Pilis Mountains.

Alcsútdoboz

The village is known for the Alcsúti Arboretum Nature Reserves, the English Park with castle ruins.

Veresegyház

The small town is famous for its Bear and Wolf Shelter and folk costumes and traditions.

Szada

This little village is home to Hungary's only car wildlife and safari park.

Tóalmás

The village is known for the Andrássy Palace (also known as Wahrmann Castle).

HIGHLIGHTS FROM BUDAPEST & SURROUNDINGS

The Danube Bend

The River Danube turns sharply between the mountains before reaching Budapest. The S-curve of the river is surrounded by historic cities and picturesque towns, castle ruins, churches, thick forests and amazing lookouts. The main cities are Esztergom, Visegrád, Vác and Szentendre.